Azerbaijan's
answer to stained glass is an ancient vitrage craft work called 'shebeke',
that can also be found across the borders, in Iran and in Georgia. Shebeke windows bring
color and life to buildings.

These beautiful and intricate panels are
made of small wooden pieces (usually walnut) assembled in a giant jig-saw
puzzle that can have tens of thousands of elements. Each latticework frame
is custom cut and pieced together, then the glass is cut to fit. No nails
or glue are used to assemble the lattice framework pieces, all hand made.
The measurements must be precise within a millimeter or the whole thing
will have to be scrapped. In general the spaces are filled with colorful
glass pieces, but some times just the wooden frame is used. Gracious geometrical
motives are prevalent.

The
technology of the work is rather complicated and known only to a few artisans
who pass the know how from generation to generation. Shebeke is central
feature in Azeri architecture - it can be found in historical places like
the Khan's palace in Sheki or the Shah Abbas
mosque in Ganja, in modern religious
buildings like the Martyrs mosque in Baku or
in some of the residences of Azerbaijan's Nouveau riche (both in windows
and doors).

If
you'd like to take this form of art home there is a good shebeke workshop
in Sheki, but beware: prices are high and it may take several months for
your order to be prepared.

The world 'shebeke' is also used to designate
drawings and patterns from thin lacy wire. This type of shebeke is of two
kinds: the first creates the object's base from gold or silver threads;
the second covers the surface of object.